Impose Toi, second in last month’s Betfair Exchange Trophy, will be trying to give trainer Nicky Henderson a fifth success in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton this weekend.
The Seven Barrows handler, who last landed the Class 2 Handicap with Burrows Edge in 2020, also saddles King Alexander after an emphatic Exeter success last time out in November.
Last year’s renewal of the Lanzarote proved to be an attritional affair as just four runners completed, with the third, Up For Parol, back for another crack off a 3lbs lower mark.
The field of Saturday’s 14:42 also feature last year’s Betfair Hurdle hero Aucunrisque, this term Welsh Champion Hurdle scorer Nemean Lion and Sussex Champion Hurdle victor Teddy Blue.
Coral Cup champ Lander Dan heads the weights off a mark of 143, which is 2lbs higher than his Cheltenham Festival-winning rating.
The latest Lanzarote Hurdle odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Lanzarote Hurdle verdict
Timeform: IMPOSE TOI boasts strong handicap form and could easily have more to offer so he looks the way to go. King Alexander is another lightly-raced improver from the Henderson yard and is second choice ahead of Sonigino. Nemean Lion isn’t certain to see out this much longer trip but will likely play a prominent role if he does. Quinta Do Mar is one who could go well at likely big odds.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Lanzarote Hurdle runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Lanzarote Hurdle 2024.
Langer Dan
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Charlie Todd Age: 8 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Landed the third big handicap win of his career when seeing off 25 rivals in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham in March. Little impact in 3 starts this season, though, and has tended to save his best for the big Spring Festivals.
**
Sonigino
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 7 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Three wins last season and built on good in-frame efforts in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow and Greatwood at Cheltenham this autumn when resuming winning ways at Aintree last month. Up to a mark in the 140s for the first time but he’s unexposed around this trip. Player.
****
Aucunrisque
Trainer: Chris Gordon Jockey: Rex Dingle Age: 8 Weight: 11st 11lbs
Course winner who produced a valiant front-running display to land the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last season but his form has been mixed since, including pulling up over fences at Cheltenham last month. Remains to be seen where a return to hurdles sparks a revival.
**
Nemean Lion
Trainer: Kerry Lee Jockey: Richard Patrick Age: 7 Weight: 11st 11lbs
Took well to hurdling last season, culminating in a Kelso Grade 2 win, and picked up where he left off when landing the Welsh Champion at Ffos Las in October. Shaped as if still in form when fifth in Greatwood at Cheltenham since, not helped by late mistakes. Could have a big say if stamina holds.
****
Mark Of Gold
Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Niall Houlihan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Useful over hurdles, notching 3 more wins last season, including C&D. Also scored in a 2m handicap on the Flat at Goodwood in May. A little below form back hurdling in recent months but his mark is edging back down.
***
Quinta Do Mar
Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Beau Morgan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 6lbs
Four-time winner over hurdles who also landed a Fontwell chase last February. Made a solid return to action when third of 6 over hurdles at Exeter 23 days ago. Cheekpieces refitted. Each-way shout with Beau Morgan taking 5 lb off.
****
Impose Toi
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: James Bowen Age: 6 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Progressive hurdler, seeing off 16 rivals on his 2m Cheltenham handicap debut in November. Advanced his form again when going down only narrowly off 10 lb higher in valuable Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot (2m again) 5 weeks later. Gained one of his novice wins over this trip. Leading claims.
*****
Jay Jay Reilly
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Tristan Durrell Age: 8 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Won twice over fences last term. Placed twice at this venue this season and might be worth forgiving him a lesser run in a very strong Cheltenham handicap last month. Now returns to hurdles for last year’s winning yard.
***
Teddy Blue
Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Caoilin Quinn Age: 6 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Free-goer who landed a 2m Plumpton handicap hurdle in April and recorded a career best when 1¼ lengths second of 17 in the Swinton a month later. Has disappointed since returning to action, though, and remains to be seen whether this much longer trip suits. Cheekpieces go on.
**
King Alexander
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Tom Cannon Age: 6 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Has won his last 3 starts completed starts, returning from 6 months off to easily land an 18.5f Exeter handicap hurdle (soft) in November. The handicapper hasn’t missed him with a 10 lb rise but there’s likely more to come. One of 2 strong contenders for his stable.
****
Hermino AA
Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: David Noonan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Dual hurdles winner last term. Failed to complete in a couple of handicap chases in November but back on track returned to hurdles when third of 10 over 3m at Cheltenham last month.
***
Wonderwall
Trainer: Peter Bowen Jockey: Sean Flanagan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Useful bumper/hurdle winner for Richard Spencer. Not disgraced when fourth in Cheltenham novice handicap on his chase debut in November. The subject of quite an interesting trainer change having been cut some slack by the handicapper.
***
Irish Hill
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Bryony Frost Age: 6 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Progressive when completing a handicap hurdle hat-trick last winter. Best effort this season when second of 6 at Newbury (20.5f, soft) in first-time blinkers (retained) just after Christmas. Cobden seems to prefer Sonigino this time, though.
***
Serious Operator
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Alan Doyle Age: 7 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Took his strike-rate over hurdles to a healthy 4-8 when just kept up to his work to see off 8 rivals at Doncaster (19.5f) 4 weeks ago. 5 lb higher in a much deeper race now.
***
Up For Parol
Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Tom Bellamy Age: 8 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Three-time hurdle winner who was an excellent third in this race 12 months ago. Made a creditable return from a 6-month break when second of 3 at Fontwell in November and he’s 3 lb lower than last year. Not discounted.
****
Samuel Spade
Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Kielan Woods Age: 5 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Two wins in his juvenile season and got his head back in front when stepped up to 19f at Taunton last month. showing a potent turn of foot. Has a further 2f to go now and also 7 lb higher.
***
Mothill
Trainer: Neil Mulholland Jockey: Joe Anderson Age: 6 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Consistent type who made it back-to-back hurdle wins (ran on Flat in between) when readily seeing off 6 rivals at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. 5 lb higher in a much stronger race now.
***
Kaleb
Trainer: Amy Murphy Jockey: Jack Quinlan Age: 6 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Right back on song when runner-up in 2m handicaps at Plumpton and Sandown this season and not disgraced when seventh of 12 in a warm race at Cheltenham (17f, good to soft) last month. Below par on his previous attempt around this trip but he’s well worth another try.
***
Good Luck Charm
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball Jockey: Ben Godfrey Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Proved better than ever back hurdling when winning 21f Wincanton handicap on reappearance and ran a cracker from 10 lb higher when a close third at Cheltenham (2½m, good to soft) 4 weeks ago. This demands more but she’s no forlorn hope.
***
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Wetherby, Warwick & Kempton
- Paul Jacobs’ ITV Racing tips for Saturday
- Ruby Walsh’s horse racing tips for Saturday’s ITV action
- NAP of the Day: Today’s NAPs Table of horse racing tips across the UK & Ireland
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